Local residents plan to sue FAA over flight path changes

Residents of several downtown Phoenix neighborhoods say the noise is so bad from departing jets, that they are taking on the Federal Aviation Administration themselves.

The residents have taken the first steps to sue the FAA over the change in flight paths that went into effect last year.

The City of Phoenix filed its lawsuit against the FAA in June, now two months later leaders of several historic neighborhoods are taking their own legal action. The goal, to stop the airplane noise above their homes.

"There are people that cannot even have a conversation in their homes, they have to stop, wait for the planes to go over, and continue the conversation," said Marilyn Rendon.

Fed up neighbors are banding together to sue the FAA.

"The FAA changed the flight paths without any public input or notice, and the FAA led the neighborhoods to believe it would make adjustments to the flight paths, but it has failed to do so," sad Steve Dreiseszun.

The FAA rerouted planes last September as part of a program designed to save fuel and make travel more efficient. The city has been trying to work with the FAA to make changes to the new flight paths, but it doesn't appear the FAA is budging, which led to the city filing a lawsuit. Now residents are digging into their own pockets for legal action.

"This could get very expensive, but what is the cost of our quality of life, what is the cost on our property values," said Dreiseszun.

"It's been having a deep effect on the people, there are people being woken up at 7, 8, 1:00, 3:00, 5 a.m., how would you function if you were woken up 3-4 times at night," said Rendon.

In response to the City of Phoenix lawsuit, the FAA recently filed a motion to dismiss the city's charges. The neighborhood leaders expect it will go the same way with their lawsuit, but they're confident they will get their day in court, and their issues will eventually be heard.